MRSA “Superbug” Found on West Coast Beaches

Drug-resistant staph bacteria similar to the strains found in hospitals have been detected on beaches in Washington state, surprising researchers who believed there was no chance of finding the “superbug” there.

The Washington researchers did not known the source of the MRSA, noting that none of the beaches were near hospitals. The Miami researchers speculated that MRSA was transported to the beach by bathers. Further research is needed to determine whether MRSA can incubate in sand and salt water.

Both teams of researchers say that the beach should not be avoided. They advised beachgoers to take several precautions, such as showering afterwards and bandaging any scrapes.

Staphylococcus aureus is a form of bacteria carried on the skin and the most common type of skin infection. Between 25-30 percent of Americans are colonized (when bacteria are present, but not causing an infection) in the nose or on the skin with staph bacteria, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk for a staph infection.

MRSA is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to methicillin, oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. It is primarily found in hospitals, where it can easily be passed through vulnerable patients, but this decade it has spread to communities, reaching schools, locker rooms, daycare centers and other public areas.